Julie Yates
Pryor library patrons will soon have to provide their own earphones while using library computers.
Thomas J. Harrison Pryor Public Library currently supplies earbuds or earphones for patrons to use at computers. Kim Risner, director of the library, said the librarians have to sanitize the earbuds and they get broken easily.
To use sound, patrons are required to have earphones. If they do not have a headset, they will be required to mute the computer sound system. Patrons can purchase earbuds for $2.50 as the library has them available.
The board agreed and asked Risner to update the library policy on
earphones.
The library board approved the purchase of three bar code scanners and five slip printers. The equipment will cost $3,880, plus an additional $45 for slip printer paper.
The library uses Book Systems software, and Risner said the company recommended these printers and scanners.
Risner said the library’s current scanners and printers do work together, but not efficiently. She said there is too much paper being wasted during printing because the printers reel out sheets that are too long. Risner said if the scanners and printers were all universally compatible, it would save the library time and money.
“There’s too much paper being used,” Risner said.
Risner said Book Systems guaranteed this equipment would be compatible with their software or they would return the money.
“Software companies are constantly upgrading,” said Risner, adding the company sends upgrades several times a year. The updates change the way the equipment communicates every time.
The new equipment will also be compatible with the library’s new card
catalog.
Pending city council approval, the library will purchase three new staff computers. Risner said the replaced staff computers will be moved to the adult computer area for public usage.
Risner is currently looking at prices and comparing computer companies. The board approved the purchase for a maximum amount of $5,000.
Six individuals have agreed to participate in the Pryor Library Addition Needs (PLAN) committee. Risner said PLAN requires three meetings. The committee will form a plan for the Pryor library to be implemented over the next five years. The committee so far includes Bill Martin, Stan Harris, Stephanie Aylward, Karen Rabbit, Ben Cox and Mary Lawson.
The Pryor library was awarded the Museum of Main Street grant. A traveling museum with the Smithsonian Institute will be at the library from
Dec. 10, 2011 through Jan. 12, 2012.
• 364 new cards were issued in December – 275 adult and 89 juvenile
• December checkouts were 5,514 – 4,080 adult and 1,434 juvenile
• Adult materials added, 177. Children’s materials added, 88. Donated materials, 107.
• December donations totaled $17,643.15, including $15,516 from state aid.
• Computer usage was 55,231 minutes in December – 42,057 for adult computers, 12,854 for youth computers and 320 for genealogy.
